Posts Tagged ‘spring fashion’

Welcome to Librarian Lifestyle’s Style Profile Series! Each month, we’ll highlight a fashionable information professional and study their style philosophy. This month, our series debuts with Austin Community College e-Resources Librarian, Adrian Whatley.

When many people think of librarian style, they think of buns, cardigans, clogs, and maybe even cat t-shirts. However, just as our backgrounds and specializations vary, librarians have a broad array of personal style. Adrian Whatley, the e-Resources Librarian at Austin Community College’s South Austin campus, embraces her femininity with both her professional and casual wardrobe. In the following interview, Adrian gives us some insight into her style and graciously allows us a peek inside her closet.

How would you characterize your style?
Ultra-fem, with an emphasis on classic shapes like nipped waists and A-line skirts. I love color, and get bored if my palette is too grayscale. I also like to incorporate items from Austin artists, whether it be a gorgeous silver necklace from Kristin Laing or fun printed tee from Futureman Graphics.

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Adrian’s well-organized closet.

What’s your favorite, or go-to, clothing item in your closet?
I’m currently in love with a pair of gold Steve Madden flat sandals that I got for a steal at DSW. I can wear them with jeans or sun dresses — they’ll probably be dead by the end of summer.

What’s your secret for transitioning seamlessly from day to night?
Hair down, high heels on. A super-saturated lip and obnoxiously loud earrings never hurt, either.

Great day-to-night heels.

Do you have any style icons?
I like what Emma Stone is doing when it comes to being a redhead who’s unafraid of wearing bright colors. I think she usually looks chic without trying too hard. Also, the jewel tones that Christina Hendricks wears on Mad Men are so pretty (although I would never claim to be as lusciously curvacious as she is)!

Does your profession have any influence on your workplace style? How do you maintain your sense of style in the library?
Libraries are casual environments, but I always try to look professional while staying comfortable. I don’t want to be mistaken for a student, even if it means answering a dozen “where is my classroom?” questions on my way to buy a Diet Coke during Welcome Week.

What spring and summer trends are you looking forward to?
I’m having fun with neon colors being back in style, and I love how diverse our choice in sandals has become over the past few years. I also like that handbags seem to be downsizing and becoming more elegant. I’m trying desperately not to buy a Kate Spade Flicker Scout in yummy green at the moment, but I’ll probably fail.

Springtime casual.

Cardigans and buns: yes or no?
Totally — if done correctly! A messy, low bun can be chic, and a cardigan with interesting detail or in a bright color is interesting. I’m a total hypocrite, however, since I rarely do either, but I like the way they look.

Where do you like to shop, both locally and online?
Parts & Labour, Anthropologie, BCBG, J Crew, Strut. Lurking around the Domain and peeking lustfully in the windows at Barneys is a grave flaw in my character.

Do you have any personal style rules that you live/dress by?
A pencil skirt and stupidly high heels can make any day better.

An enviable collection of heels to choose from.

Many thanks to Adrian for granting us access to her closet and her style! Join us next month for another style profile of a fashionable Austin-area librarian.

By Arianne Thigpen. Arianne is the Reference/Serials Librarian at Concordia University Texas in Austin, Texas. She received her MSIS from The University of Texas at Austin. Her interests include reading, style, cooking, fitness and nutrition, classic films, and emerging information technology. She tweets @arilib_atx.